Lose that Cradle Cap!

Hi parents! Does your newborn have flaky skin on his/her head? Or large oily patches? That could be cradle cap. Both of my kids had it. My daughter (now 2) had it for about 9 months and my son (now 4 months) still has it.

When my daughter was born, I had no idea what cradle cap was or how to get it off. Her pediatrician didn't mention it and I didn't know many young moms who might have experienced this. Like you, I took to the internet and researched. I hope this helps moms and dads out there, who are scratching their heads saying, "Huh?" It really is more simple than you think!

What is Cradle Cap?

According to Mayo Clinic, "Cradle cap causes crusty or oily scaly patches on a baby's scalp. The condition isn't painful or itchy. But it can cause thick white or yellow scales that aren't easy to remove." Cradle cap usually clears up on its own in a few weeks or months.

How to Remove Cradle Cap

You can see in the below images what my son's cradle cap looks like at 4 months old. By now, I have been able to remove a lot of it but I was able to capture a picture so you can see it. Here is my routine:

1. At bath time - I place a drop of Burt's Bees Baby Shampoo & Wash on his washcloth and I gently rub his head in circular motions then wash it with warm water.

2. After bath - Once he is in his jammies, I take his soft baby brush (as seen in the image below) and gently brush his hair from front to back. Warning: please do not use your fingers to pick off loose scabs as it can hurt or be uncomfortable for your baby.

Other Alternatives

I have read about other ways to remove cradle cap but please note, I have not tried these methods.

1. Fridababy DermaFrida The FlakeFixer 3-Step Cradle Cap System

2. Lightly rub baby oil on your baby's head 30 minutes before bath time

3. Prescription ointment (ask your pediatrician)

Did your baby have cradle cap and you would like to share your methods of removal? Feel free to submit an entry by visiting my contact page. Thanks for reading!